Hardware & Infrastructure

Computer systems, major hardware & school/district facilities news


Xirrus Intros Modular Wireless Switch Family

Wireless network vendor Xirrus has launched what it's promoting as the "first modular chassis-based wireless switch." The new XR series of wireless arrays allows IT staff to perform both radio and software upgrades, giving the devices a potentially longer life in the enterprise.

Six Habits of Highly Effective E-Rate Applicants

In an atmosphere and economic era in which requests for E-Rate funding are more than double the amount available each year, applicants must be particularly persistent and vigilant when it comes to requesting money from the FCC.

Arizona District Launches 3.26 MW Solar Project

Buckeye Elementary School District in Arizona has begun construction on a 3.26-megwatt photovoltaic solar project.

Aerohive Networks Intros Indoor and Outdoor Mesh-Capable APs

Aerohive Networks, which makes wireless networking hardware for K-12 and higher education, has debuted three new 802.11n access points for indoor and outdoor use in extreme temperature ranges.

Maryland District Supports Student-Supplied Mobile Devices

Recognizing the need to provide wireless service to the increasing number of student-supplied mobile devices in the classroom, a school district in Maryland has chosen to overhaul its wireless infrastructure to support greater bandwidth and security.

Houston School System Moving to Wireless IP Phone System

A Houston, TX school system is upgrading its communication infrastructure with the latest release of Microsoft's communication application and new 802.11n wireless gear from Aruba Networks.

New Jersey District Shifts to Fiber for Tech 'Without Limits'

In an effort to support a slate of school technology initiatives, a district in New Jersey has moved its underlying communications network to high-speed fiber.

East Side Union High School District To Save $42 Million With Solar Power

The East Side Union High School District in California has completed a solar energy project that will generate $43 million in energy savings over 25 years.

E-Rate Applications Surge in 2011

Applications for the federal E-rate program were up to 44,139 for the 2011 funding year, representing $4.31 billion in requests, the highest level in nearly a decade, according to an analysis released this week.

California District Ramps Up 802.11n To Support Mobile Learning

Union School District in San Jose, CA is gutting its old wireless infrastructure and moving to an enterprise-class WLAN to support its mobile computing efforts.

Featured Mobility Articles

Masters of Learning

I had the delightful privilege of moderating the FETC Virtual Conference this past May. One of the events was a Q&A with Elliot Soloway, of the University of Michigan, and Cathleen Norris, of the University of North Texas, regarding their mobile learning research initiatives. Their strong contention is that students will bring their mobile phones to school to learn — and it will happen a lot sooner than we think. It's inevitable, they say, and educators need to get with the picture. By Therese Mageau.

Principals Call for Mobile and Social Technologies in Schools

The National Association of Secondary School Principals is looking to change the conversation about mobile computing and social media in schools.

The ABCs of BYOL

A bring-your-own-laptop pilot program puts an Ohio district closer to its goal of getting a computer into the hands of each of its students.

New York Educators Get Cross-Platform Tablet Training

NYSCATE, the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education, will be training teachers on Android- and Windows-based tablets this summer.

Classroom Walkthrough Comes to Android

Teacher professional development provider Teachscape has brought Classroom Walkthrough to the Android platform.

Using iPods To Increase Reading Comprehension

As a middle school reading specialist in Oregon's Eugene School District 4j, Marilyn Williams found that many of her middle school students weren't finishing their reading or remembering what they read. So she decided to tackle the problem with the help of iPod touch devices.

Student Engagement on the Go

Assistant Principal Patrick McGee explains that whatever the other advantages of adopting iPads and iPods in the classroom, the key is student engagement.

Drill Down: Mobile Devices in Education

As educators continue to weigh the many considerations attached to allowing student-owned handheld devices on campus, Speak Up asked parents what good they think the use of mobile technologies would have on their children's education.

An App for That ... and That ... and That

The mobile technology market is blooming with powerful applications that have the ability to transform education with the ease of a download to any number of handheld devices. To learn what apps educators are finding most valuable to teaching and learning, we asked presenters from this month's Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) to share some of their favorites.

NEA Program To Award Smart Phone Grants

The NEA Foundation is expanding the focus of its Challenge to Innovate (C2i) grant program. In the latest phase, the foundation will award five grants to support innovative ideas for using smart phones in the classroom.

6 Technologies That Will Change Education

Over the next five years, six technologies will have a profound impact on teaching and learning--and some are already beginning to have an impact.

When Social Networking Goes 'Live'

An English teacher in Iowa talks about how she parlayed Twitter interactions into a class trip halfway around the world.

Philadelphia Elementary School Students Treated to a New iPad Lab

Students at Philadelphia’s Stephen Decatur Elementary school will have access to a new iPad lab when they return to class in the fall.

Accelerated Reader Student App Comes to iOS

Renaissance Learning has released a free iOS app that lets students take their Accelerated Reader quizzes on their iPads, iPhones, and iPods.

ActiveCloud for iOS Enables Seamless Management of Local and Cloud-Based Files

Mobile software company Pocket Watch has released its cloud storage management application, ActiveCloud 1.0, for iOS.

Mobility Webinar

  • How to Select a Tablet Webinar screen capture

    Learn 10 essential criteria that organizations should consider when choosing a tablet computer.

Mobility Podcast

About GovConnection

GovConnection, Inc. is a leading provider of IT products and services to the K–12 and higher education marketplace.

Backed by years of experience and extensive vendor partnerships, our Account Managers are focused on helping you connect with the latest, most effective technology to support education.

With more than 150,000 products, a nationwide network of service partners, and teams of certified technical experts, GovConnection has the resources to help you achieve your IT goals—on time and on budget.

From digital signage in the campus cafeteria to servers in the core of your data center, GovConnection is ready to design, build, and support IT solutions that meet your every need. If you’re looking for an IT provider with the tools to accelerate learning and enhance collaboration, GovConnection is here to put technology to work for you. More Information

Mobility Resources

  • Adobe® Acrobat® X Pro in K–12 education PDF Screenshot

    K-12 educators are using Acrobat to enhance workflows, to improve collaboration, to create e-Portfolios of classroom activities, and even provide documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. Download PDF

  • Laptop Lessons PDF Screenshot

    While you may hear more about iPad’s impact in schools in the news lately, The Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ demonstrates how having a program with netbooks and laptops have benefitted the students. Download PDF

  • Case Study: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PDF Screenshot

    The Archdiocese of Philadelphia needed high-performance devices that offered both great savings and strong warranty to serve over 68,000 students. Acer provided rugged, fast netbooks with large keyboards that could stand up to long-term student use. Download PDF

  • Case Study: Lorain City Schools, OH PDF Screenshot

    The Challenge: Lorain City Schools in Lorain, OH serves 19 different schools and programs with a diverse student population. The Solution: Find out how Acer helped a large school system on a tight budget build a bridge to the 21st century classroom. Download PDF

GovConnection K-12 Overview

  • GovConnection PDF: Experience the GovConnection Difference Today Experience the GovConnection Difference Today

    Download PDF

About GovConnection

GovConnection, Inc. is a leading provider of IT products and services to the K–12 and higher education marketplace.

Backed by years of experience and extensive vendor partnerships, our Account Managers are focused on helping you connect with the latest, most effective technology to support education.

With more than 150,000 products, a nationwide network of service partners, and teams of certified technical experts, GovConnection has the resources to help you achieve your IT goals—on time and on budget.

From digital signage in the campus cafeteria to servers in the core of your data center, GovConnection is ready to design, build, and support IT solutions that meet your every need. If you’re looking for an IT provider with the tools to accelerate learning and enhance collaboration, GovConnection is here to put technology to work for you. More Information